Pacific teams target winning finish to AFL International Cup

A number of Pacific teams have a chance to end the AFL International Cup on a winning note today in the first set of finals match-ups.

In the men's draw, Nauru are chasing a third straight win against in the fifth place playoff against Great Britain, while Fiji are guaranteed to improve on their 10th place finish three years ago when they face Canada in the playoff for seventh spot.

Meanwhile it's an all-Pacific affair in the women's competition, with the Papua New Guinea Flames and Fiji playing off for fifth place.

PNG didn't compete at the last International Cup and tour manager Peter Harrison was expecting the Fijians to provide a stern challenge.

"Fiji are a great rugby nation and we do have a few rugby sevens players sort of floating through our Flames squad," he said.

"It could be interesting to see how some of these wingers go with their run and chase and tackle pressure".

The major finals are tomorrow with the PNG Mosquitoes defending the men's title against the New Zealand Hawks and Canada defending the women's title against Ireland.

 

Photo: AFL Media. Caption: Nauru will take on Great Britain in the playoff for fifth place